Asthma Among Homeless Children

Abstract

The prevalence of asthma among a random sample of homeless children in New York City is likely to be 39.8%-more than 6 times the national rate for children. Asthma in homeless children is also likely to be severe and substantially undertreated.

Asthma and Behavior in Homeless 4- to 7-Year-Olds

“…These findings are in line with other estimates of the prevalence of asthma among inner-city minority and homeless children. 10,12,13 This study further documents disparities in asthma among underprivileged urban minority children in general and homeless children in particular.…”

“…This high rate may underestimate the true prevalence, because other studies have found many undiagnosed children with asthma but symptoms at screening, particularly for low-income minority children. 12,13 In this study, only 34% of children with asthma were receiving any medication for their condition, 48% had visited an ED in the preceding year, and these children were more likely to have been hospitalized overnight in their lifetime compared to peers without asthma. These findings are in line with other estimates of the prevalence of asthma among inner-city minority and homeless children.…”

“…In past studies, large numbers of homeless children expressed asthma symptoms but had never received a diagnosis. 3,12,13 For better estimation of the true asthma rate, future efforts need to include direct assessments or screening for asthma symptoms. A pediatric assessment would also inform the severity of asthma symptoms.…”

“…Approximately 43% of the children with asthma symptoms displayed moderate or severe persistent symptom severity in 1998 -1999. 12 Only 12% to 15% of children were taking an appropriate asthma controller medication. In addition, between 56% and 59% of the children with asthma had visited an ED in the preceding 12 months.…”

Health of the Homeless and Climate Change

“…10,11 The rate of asthma in homeless children in the US has been reported at six times the national rate for children. 9,[12][13][14] Levels of mental illness such as depression and schizophrenia amongst the homeless are much higher than the general population. [15][16][17] Substance use is also very common; problems with alcohol are six to seven times more prevalent among homeless people than in the general population.…”